Field Description

Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study. It joins together the research and teaching of humanities, social sciences, and the arts on the subject of women as individuals and members of society as well as on the construction of gender in society. The program fosters students’ abilities to analyze and think critically about women’s issues and gender relations at the same time that it deepens their understanding of the approach of the field. Students analyze the construction of gender roles and gain a sense of how gender is shaped in different societies at different times. Students also investigate issues related to women and gender, such as sexuality, femininities, masculinities, LGBTQ studies, and the family. Understanding the roles of women and gender is important for everyone but especially for liberal arts majors and for students who aim for careers in business and the professions.

The Minor

Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of women’s individual and collective experiences and of the construction of gender roles for both men and women. Courses in this program will examine the sources and impact of gender expectations and relations, the complex roles women play, the social, political, intellectual, and cultural contributions women make within a variety of global cultures and societies, and/or the construction of gender, femininities, masculinities, and sexualities. To fulfill the requirement for the minor with a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies, students must complete two 3000-level courses and a common capstone course, WSM 4900 Topics in Women’s Studies.